City of Coos Bay release - At its August 19, 2025, meeting, the Coos Bay City Council unanimously adopted Resolution 25-29, establishing a temporary moratorium on the construction of new self-storage unit facilities within city limits. The decision reflects the Council’s commitment to encouraging development that best supports community needs and long-term economic vitality. The action comes after a review of existing facilities and future land use considerations. Currently, Coos Bay has thirteen self-storage facilities, providing more than twice the amount of storage space typically required for a community of this size. With demand already being met, the Council determined that allocating additional commercial or industrial land to new storage facilities would not serve the community’s highest priorities. During the Council discussion, staff highlighted that self-storage facilities, while useful, generally contribute little to job creation, housing availability, or street-level activity. In contrast, commercial and industrial lands are in short supply and are essential for projects that support local employment, housing development, and economic growth. As Community Development Director, Chelsea Schnabel explained, “We know we have a need for more housing, we have a need for more economic development. The land we do have, we want to optimize that.” The moratorium will remain in place for up to twelve months, during which time the City will review zoning regulations and land use codes. This process will ensure that future development aligns with community goals for economic opportunity, housing supply, and vibrant commercial corridors. Existing self-storage businesses are not affected by the resolution, and residents will continue to have access to the storage capacity already available. Council members expressed appreciation for the thoughtful approach, noting that this temporary pause allows the City to preserve valuable commercial and industrial lands for higher and better uses. Mayor Benetti observed, “We have more storage units than we need, almost twice what the average is, and it’s wonderful that we’re moving in this direction to keep our properties available for development.” By enacting this moratorium, Coos Bay is taking proactive steps to balance current needs with future opportunities, ensuring that limited land resources are used in ways that strengthen the local economy and enhance quality of life.